Electromagnetic and manual control systems of vehicle door locks

ABSTRACT

This electric control device is applicable to the door locks of vehicles and comprises an electromagnetic control device having two stable positions and a reversing switch device delivering electric pulses to the electromagnetic device of all the door locks, the control lever of said reversing switch device being associated through a stud to an intermediate pivoting lever coacting on the one hand with a pivoting locking latch connected to the electromagnetic control device and to a telltale system provided on the door, and on the other hand with a control member associated with the external key.

-tilted States Patent Ventre et al.

ELECTROMAGNETIC AND MANUAL CONTROL SYSTEMS OF VEHICLE DOOR LOCKSInventors: Pierre Veutre; Robert Ferraris, Billancourt, FranceAssignees: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault, Billancourt; AutomobilesPeugeot, Paris, France Filed: Dec. 11, 1970 Appl. No.: 97,243

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 16, 1969 France ..6943576 U.S. Cl..70/264, 70/432, 116/124 R, 180/1 12 Int. Cl. .1505!) 65/36 Field ofSearch ..70/264; 292/144; 292/201 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3/1945 Ward ..70/264 [march 13, 1973 2,877,639 3/1959 Gust 70/2642,904,988 9 1959 Gaida ....70/264 2,934,930 5/1960 Garvey ..70 2542,959,238 11/1960 Dyer et al. ..70/264 x 2,139,183 12/1938 Bruns .292144 x 2,714,521 8 1955 Graham .292 144 x Primary ExaminerAlbert G.Craig, Jr. Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT Thiselectric control device is applicable to the door locks of vehicles andcomprises an electromagnetic control device having two stable positionsand a reversing switch device delivering electric pulses to theelectromagnetic device of all the door locks, the control lever of saidreversing switch device being associated through a stud to anintermediate pivoting lever co-acting on the one hand with apivotinglocking latch connected to the electromagnetic control deviceand to a telltale system provided on the door, and on the other handwith a control member associated with the external key.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ELECTROMAGNETIC AND MANUAL CONTROL SYSTEMSOF VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS The present invention relates to a commercialapplication of an electromagnetic device for simultaneously locking andunlocking the doors of a vehicle.

The function contemplated consists in controlling the locking andunlocking of all the doors of a vehicle from any-one of the two frontdoors (in the case of a four-door vehicle) either from the exterior orfrom the interior, while preserving all the possibilities afforded by amechanical lock system.

The locked or unlocked state of each door is made visible by using asimple device.

Moreover, a safety device adapted automatically to unlock all the doorsin case of sudden shock may be connected to the electric circuitcontemplated.

Central devices for controlling the doors of automotive vehicles arealready known which permit of locking or unlocking all the doors of avehicle by a simple rotation of the door key.

However, these devices eliminate at least some of the useful featurescharacterizing conventional locks, such possibility of actuation in caseof failure of the electric current supply, and/or unlocking whenslamming a front door, and/or controlling from anyone of the two frontdoors. Moreover, most hitherto known devices of this character requireconsiderable efforts and therefore the use of relatively powerful andcumbersome electromagnetic control devices.

It is the essential object of the present invention to solve the variousproblems set forth hereinabove in a simple yet economical manner. Withthe arrangement according to this invention it is possible to lock orunlock all the doors of an automotive vehicle from the exterior bysimply rotating the key in the lock, and from the interior by rotating aknob provided on each control door,

lock and unlock all the doors of an automotive vehicle from theexterior, from anyone of the front doors, the number of controlled locksbeing unlimited lock or unlock each control door in case of failure inthe electric circuitry preserve all the other properties of a mechanicallock utilize a single reversing switch for the exterior and interiorcontrol utilize an electromagnetic control device of very moderate powerrating visualize at a glance the locked or unlocked condition of eachdoor by using a simple metal rod, and

adapt in a simple yet economical manner the device of this invention toall types of existing locks.

The present invention is applicable to a door locking and unlockingsystem comprising an electromagnetic actuator having two stablepositions and associated with all the door locks of a vehicle, each doorlock being equipped with a pivoting catch for locking same individually.

The device according to the present invention is characterizedessentially in that it comprises a single electric reversing switch ofthe rotary lever type which is mounted on the plate of each control lockand adapted to deliver control pulses to the electromagnetic devices ofall the locks for controlling same both from the exterior and from theinterior, said switch being associated with an intermediate levercoacting with a pivoting latch for preventing the lock operation, saidlatch being connected on the one hand to said electromagnetic controldevice and on the other hand to visual or telltale system provided onthe door.

Each door of the vehicle is provided with a visual indicator connectedto the latch for preventing the operation of the corresponding lock. Theactuation of this indicator, which involves the release of thecorresponding door lock, is possible only through an unusual operation.

On the other hand, an inertia switch of known type, connected to theelectric system permits automatically releasing all the doors of thevehicle in case a sudden and fierce shock was applied thereto. The basicprinciple of this control device is applicable to all types of doorlocks without departing from the basic principle of the invention.

Other features of this invention will appear as the followingdescription proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawingsillustrating diagrammatically by way of example a typical form ofembodiment thereof. In the drawings FIG. 1 is a view of a control lockin its locked position, showing the relative arrangement of the variouscomponent elements on the lock plate and also the visual indicator FIG.2 is a fragmentary view of the external control system, shown in sectiontaken along the line IIII of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a section showing the reversing switch device and theintermediate lever, the section being taken along the line IIIIII ofFIG. 1

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the reversing switch device in itsinoperative position FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the reversingswitch device FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the mannerin which the reversing switch device is actuated through a stud carriedby the intermediate lever to the OPEN position, and

FIG. 7 illustrates the wiring diagram of the installation in the case ofa four-door vehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the pivot pin 1 of the door lock,centered in a pivot socket 2 rigid with the door lock plate 3 isrotatably connected to the lock tumbler cylinder 4 engageable by a key5. A stud la forming a kind of fork with the pin 1 engages both theelongated hole 6a formed in an intermediate lever 6 fulcrumed to a pivotpin 7 and a notch or cavity 8a formed in the locking latch 8, the latterbeing adapted to prevent the operation of the door lock, as will be seenpresently. This locking latch 8 is pivoted to a pivot pin 9 carried bythe lock plate 3, its angular excursion being limited by a curvedelongated hole 8b engaged by said pivot socket 2 so that the edges ofthis elongated hole 8b act as abutments to said pivot socket, as shown.

In the position preventing the lock operation as illus trated in FIG. 1a lever 10 controlling the door opening movement abuts against the latch8 at 8c.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a stud 6b carried by lever 6 engages asubstantially triangular aperture formed in a rotary control lever 11 ofreversing switch device 12, this lever 11 being rigid with a pivot pin11b of the mechanism of this reversing switch device.

An arcuate groove 13a centered to the axis of the pivot pin 7 of lever 6is formed in the cover 13 of the case 14 of reversing switch device 12,thus ensuring a constant length of the contact between the stud 6b andthe lever 11 of said reversing switch device, irrespective of the playlikely to exist or develop between the intermediate lever 6 and itspivot pin 7, so as to reduce the over-all dimensions of this reversingswitch device.

The reversing switch device 12 is of the three-position type, providinga stable position leaving the circuit open, and two operative positionsin which the locking and unlocking coils of the electromagnetic systemare energized and de-energized, respectively. Under these conditions,the case 14 carries externally three outlet terminals 15 on which athree-wire plug (not shown) can be inserted.

A rod 16 connected for translation to an electromagnetic actuator ofknown type (not shown) is adapted to actuate the locking latch 8 throughthe medium of a bent portion 8d of this latch.

Another rod 17 connected to the locking latch 8 and provided with apreferably colored end cap 18 emerges from the door moulding or top 19through a guide grommet 20. Thus, this rod constitutes a simple meansfor checking at any time the locked condition of the relevant door.

When the cap 18 is in its locked position the lock of the correspondingdoor cannot be released for operation by simply depressing this cap. Torelease the door lock a tool of reduced diameter, smaller than that ofthe guide grommet 20, would be necessary, so as to depress the cap 18into this grommet against the return force exerted by theelectromagnetic actuator, until the stroke of rod 17 causes thetranslation of a ferrite annature of the control member of theelectromagnetic control device, so as to reverse the direction ofattraction or pull of this member. In actual practice, the necessarytranslation is of the order of 7 to 8 mm (about five-sixteenths inch.This unusual operation may be considered as constituting an additionalsafety against tampering by children.

The reversing device 12 of a very flat type (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5), maybe secured very rapidly to the lock plate 3 by means ofa resilientfastening member 140 of case 14 engaging an aperture 21 of plate 3. Apin 14b of case 14 permits properly positioning the case in relation tothe plate 3 a gasket 22 is provided for sealing the joint around thepivot pin 11b.

Since by using the arrangement of this invention the number of controllocks is not a limiting factor, in an exemplary form of embodiment itwill be assumed that the control lock is the one illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this case, the actuation of the key 5 inserted into the lock tumblercylinder 4 is attended by a rotation of the pivot pin 1 centered insocket 2. Thus, the stud 1a of pivot pin 1 rotates the intermediatelever 6 and tilts the latch 8.

After a movement of predetermined angular amplitude the stud 6b carriedby lever 6 engages the hollow contour of lever 11 of reversing switchdevice 12 and rotates said lever 11 (FIG. 6, the stud in position II"corresponding to an unlocking operation). Thus, the reversing switchdevice will close the circuit for energizing each coil of theelectromagnetic device E corresponding to the operative condition asseen in the wiring diagram of FIG. 7. This diagram includes tworeversing switch devices A and B, since two doors are provided withcontrol locks.

In the release position the lever 11 is in a position symmetrical inrelation to the axis X-X' of reversing switch device 12 (FIG. 6).

Under these conditions, it is clear that actuating the key 5 in the locktumbler cylinder 4 will act on the one hand directly upon the latch 8for latching the control lock,

on the other hand upon the reversing switch device 12 deliveringelectric pulses to all the coils of the electromagnetic devices.

The locking or unlocking operation can thus be performed on each controllock, even in case of failure in the electric supply circuit, due to theprovision of the double control circuit.

At the end of this operation the tumbler cylinder 4 resumes its initialintermediate position, thus moving the stud 1a and therefore the lever6. As the lever 11 of reversing switch device 12 is no more urged forrotation, it resumes its inherent position of equilibrium, thusre-opening the circuit.

Under these conditions, the contact is maintained only during the timeperiod in which the key is rotated in the lock tumbler cylinder.

Considering that the lock illustrated in FIG. 1 becomes a receptor lock,the electromagnetic device will then actuate through the medium of rod16 the locking latch 8. Since the latter can move freely about its pivotpin 9 due to its notch 80, the control effort required therefor isextremely reduced, thus permitting the use of electromagnetic devices ofvery low power rating.

From the interior of the vehicle the user can thus actuate electricallyall the locking latches of the various doors by actuating the rotarycontrol lever 11 to which a rotating knob may be attached, therebyactuating the same reversing switch device 12 as utilized for theexternal control. This lever 11 is provided to this end with a speciallydesigned contour 11a permitting the actuation of its pivot pin 11bwithout interfering with the movement of stud 6b of lever 6 (FIG. 6,with stud 6b in position I).

All the usual mechanical control actions are preserved in this device,and the locking latch is adapted to be operated independently of theelectrical control system. The electromagnetic system will then operateas a bistable spring.

By way of example, reference may be made to a door lock release systemfor opening from the interior, of a type known per se, which, by meansof a rod 23 (FIG. 1), is adapted to pivot a lever 24 which, through themedium of a stud 24a is adapted in turn to slide along the contour 8e ofthe locking latch 8 so as to tilt same. Under these conditions, thelever 24 can subsequently release the door lock bolt by means of lever10.

A suitably calibrated inertia switch C connected in parallel to theunlocking circuit (FIG. 7) is adapted to release automatically all thedoors in case of sudden and fierce shock. In this case, the coils of theelectromagnetic devices E remain energized, so that it is possible toconnect thereto either a timing device for cutting off the supply ofenergizing current,

or, as shown in the diagram, a telltale lamp D for warning the user thatthe system has been actuated and therefore the inertia switch must bereset.

Although a specific form of embodiment of this invention has beendescribed and illustrated herein, it will readily occur to thoseconversant with the art that many modifications and variations may bebrought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is 1. An electromagnetic and manual controldevice for locking automotive vehicle doors, comprising:

for each door an electromagnetic actuator having fixed coils energizedby a power source, and a movable member actuatable by said coils, eachdoor having a lock mounted on a plate, and a pivoting latch member, saidmovable member being connected to said latch,

the control device further comprising for at least one of the controldoors a lock tumbler cylinder, connected to said pivoting latch memberand actuatable by a key, and a rotatable control knob disposed on saiddoor inside the vehicle, and fixed on the lock plate of said controldoor a single electrical reversing switch device for delivering pulsesto said electromagnetic actuator for locking and unlocking all the doorsof a vehicle, and means for releasing and unlocking by slamming thepreviously locked door if closed inadvertently,

said control device further comprising on said control door lock platean intermediate lever, coacting with said pivoting latch and associatedwith said reversing switch,

said reversing switch further connected with a rotary control lever towhich said rotatable control knob is connected for manual actuation, anda telltale device connected to the pivoting latch of each door forindicating the lock status of each door.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said lock plate carries apivot pin,

said intermediate lever is mounted on said pin and has an elongated holein one portion thereof,

said lock further comprising a control member associated with said locktumbler cylinder and engaging said elongated hole for rotating saidlever and tilting said pivoting latch, and said intermediate lever alsocomprising a stud coacting with the control lever of said reversingswitch.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said reversing switchcomprises a flat case adapted to be resiliently fastened to said lockplate, and a pin for positioning said case on said lock plate, said caseformed with an arcuate groove centered about the axis of rotation ofsaid intermediate lever and receiving in said groove the stud on saidintermediate lever, the control lever of said switch having asubstantially triangular aperture therein in which said stud engagessaid control lever for rotating said control lever.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said control member comprisesa fork-like member rotatably actuatable by said lock tumbler cylinder,said fork-like member centered on said lock plate by one of its armsextending throu h a curved aperture in the pivotin latch, the curveedges of said aperture centered abou the axis of rotation of said latch,the other arm of said fork-like member engaging an elongated hole formedin the intermediate lever and an opening formed in said pivoting latch,for simultaneously actuating said reversing switch and said lockinglatch.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said telltale device comprisesa rod having one end operatively connected to said locking latch and afree end carrying a cap, and a grommet in the door moulding to guidesaid cap.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein an inertia unlocking switch isconnected in a parallel circuit to said reversing switch.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the electrom agnetic actuatorcomprises two fixed tandem coils, and said movable member is rigid witha ferrite permanent magnet.

1. An electromagnetic and manual control device for locking automotivevehicle doors, comprising: for each door an electromagnetic actuatorhaving fixed coils energized by a power source, and a movable memberactuatable by said coils, each door having a lock mounted on a plate,and a pivoting latch member, said movable member being connected to saidlatch, the control device further comprising for at least one of thecontrol doors a lock tumbler cylinder, connected to said pivoting latchmember and actuatable by a key, and a rotatable control knob disposed onsaid door inside the vehicle, and fixed on the lock plate of saidcontrol door a single electrical reversing switch device for deliveringpulses to said electromagnetic actuator for locking and unlocking allthe doors of a vehicle, and means for releasing and unlocking byslamming the previously locked door if closed inadvertently, saidcontrol device further comprising on said control door lock plate aninTermediate lever, coacting with said pivoting latch and associatedwith said reversing switch, said reversing switch further connected witha rotary control lever to which said rotatable control knob is connectedfor manual actuation, and a telltale device connected to the pivotinglatch of each door for indicating the lock status of each door.
 1. Anelectromagnetic and manual control device for locking automotive vehicledoors, comprising: for each door an electromagnetic actuator havingfixed coils energized by a power source, and a movable member actuatableby said coils, each door having a lock mounted on a plate, and apivoting latch member, said movable member being connected to saidlatch, the control device further comprising for at least one of thecontrol doors a lock tumbler cylinder, connected to said pivoting latchmember and actuatable by a key, and a rotatable control knob disposed onsaid door inside the vehicle, and fixed on the lock plate of saidcontrol door a single electrical reversing switch device for deliveringpulses to said electromagnetic actuator for locking and unlocking allthe doors of a vehicle, and means for releasing and unlocking byslamming the previously locked door if closed inadvertently, saidcontrol device further comprising on said control door lock plate aninTermediate lever, coacting with said pivoting latch and associatedwith said reversing switch, said reversing switch further connected witha rotary control lever to which said rotatable control knob is connectedfor manual actuation, and a telltale device connected to the pivotinglatch of each door for indicating the lock status of each door.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein said lock plate carries a pivotpin, said intermediate lever is mounted on said pin and has an elongatedhole in one portion thereof, said lock further comprising a controlmember associated with said lock tumbler cylinder and engaging saidelongated hole for rotating said lever and tilting said pivoting latch,and said intermediate lever also comprising a stud coacting with thecontrol lever of said reversing switch.
 3. A device according to claim2, wherein said reversing switch comprises a flat case adapted to beresiliently fastened to said lock plate, and a pin for positioning saidcase on said lock plate, said case formed with an arcuate groovecentered about the axis of rotation of said intermediate lever andreceiving in said groove the stud on said intermediate lever, thecontrol lever of said switch having a substantially triangular aperturetherein in which said stud engages said control lever for rotating saidcontrol lever.
 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said controlmember comprises a fork-like member rotatably actuatable by said locktumbler cylinder, said fork-like member centered on said lock plate byone of its arms extending through a curved aperture in the pivotinglatch, the curved edges of said aperture centered about the axis ofrotation of said latch, the other arm of said fork-like member engagingan elongated hole formed in the intermediate lever and an opening formedin said pivoting latch, for simultaneously actuating said reversingswitch and said locking latch.
 5. A device according to claim 2, whereinsaid telltale device comprises a rod having one end operativelyconnected to said locking latch and a free end carrying a cap, and agrommet in the door moulding to guide said cap.
 6. A device according toclaim 1, wherein an inertia unlocking switch is connected in a parallelcircuit to said reversing switch.